FAQ’s
What is a closed combustion/slow combustion fireplace?
It refers to the process of burning solid fuel (wood or anthracite) in a closed metal box or stove.
When comparing to a traditional open fireplace, a closed combustion fireplace gives off a higher heat output and has a lower fuel consumption by a minimum of 30%
The heat can be regulated more efficiently which results in a fireplace with more heat for less fuel.
The heat can be regulated more efficiently which results in a fireplace with more heat for less fuel.
What is the right size fireplace for my house?
What is the size of the area that need to be heated?
Calculate the room’s size by the following formula:
Room’s length x depth x ceiling height = Cubic meters
Now, to calculate the right kW needed an industry standard formula is used:
The cubic volume of the room is divided by 25, plus 2 = the kW rating of the fireplace needed to heat the room volume.
Eg. 6m x 7m x 2.8m = 117.6 cubic meters
117.6 divided by 25 + 2 = 6.7 kW
We would recommend an 8kW fireplace in this instance. When you are choosing your fireplace, remember that you can always go bigger and burn less, but you can’t go smaller and overfire it as it will damage the fireplace.
What does kW rating and efficiency mean?
The kW rating of your fireplace is a measure of the ideal thermal heat output that your fireplace can maintain inside during the burning process whilst maintaining a certain level of efficiency.
The efficiency rating is the measure of how much of a fuel’s (wood or anthracite) energy is given to your room during the burning process.
A fireplace with a 75% efficiency rating is transferring 75% of the energy stored in the fuel consumed to heating the room.
The efficiency rating is the measure of how much of a fuel’s (wood or anthracite) energy is given to your room during the burning process.
A fireplace with a 75% efficiency rating is transferring 75% of the energy stored in the fuel consumed to heating the room.
Should I buy a cast-iron or a steel fireplace?
Both types have their strengths and weaknesses. Cast-Iron takes a little longer to heat up, but it can retain the heat a little longer.
Steel fireplaces heat up quicker but also loses heat quicker when the fire has died.
Steel fireplaces allow for more modern designs compared to the cast-iron fireplaces, which is why steel fireplaces have become more popular.
There is also an option of steel fireplaces with cast-iron internal parts and cast-iron doors.
Steel fireplaces heat up quicker but also loses heat quicker when the fire has died.
Steel fireplaces allow for more modern designs compared to the cast-iron fireplaces, which is why steel fireplaces have become more popular.
There is also an option of steel fireplaces with cast-iron internal parts and cast-iron doors.
Which fuel should I use in my fireplace?
Make sure you know if your fireplace is a multi-fuel fireplace or just a wood burning fireplace. If you a have a multi-fuel fireplace you can burn wood or anthracite.
For wood burning fireplaces, always use very dry, well-seasoned wood. Well-seasoned wood means that it has been drying naturally for 12-18 months and that the wood has a moisture content less than 20%.
Wet wood causes a smoking fireplace, soot blackened windows, half your heat output along with an increased fuel usage.
You can use firelighters and dry kindling to help get your fire going.
For wood burning fireplaces, always use very dry, well-seasoned wood. Well-seasoned wood means that it has been drying naturally for 12-18 months and that the wood has a moisture content less than 20%.
Wet wood causes a smoking fireplace, soot blackened windows, half your heat output along with an increased fuel usage.
You can use firelighters and dry kindling to help get your fire going.
What is the difference between a single skin and an insulated flue?
An insulated flue (double skin) is basically 2 single skin flues within each other with an insulation material in between the two pipes. The insulation material results in the outside of the double skin flue becoming less hot than with a single skin flue pipe. It also prevents a lot of condensation gathering within the flue.
A good flue kit consists of both insulated and single skin flues which is the standard in the industry. The single skin flue will run from the fireplace outlet to roughly 300mm below the ceiling where you will adapt to the insulated flue. The insulated flue will run through the entire ceiling cavity and out through the roof.
All stainless-steel flues do discolour over time due to a natural chemical reaction caused by exposure to oxygen in the air and the heat from the fireplace. The colours range from golden to amber, even purples and blues depending on how hot your fireplace is fired.
Black fireplace flue pipes are also available should you not like the discolouration of the stainless-steel pipes. These come at a slightly higher price as they go through an additional process to dip the pipe in an enamel coating that gets baked at high temperatures.
A good flue kit consists of both insulated and single skin flues which is the standard in the industry. The single skin flue will run from the fireplace outlet to roughly 300mm below the ceiling where you will adapt to the insulated flue. The insulated flue will run through the entire ceiling cavity and out through the roof.
All stainless-steel flues do discolour over time due to a natural chemical reaction caused by exposure to oxygen in the air and the heat from the fireplace. The colours range from golden to amber, even purples and blues depending on how hot your fireplace is fired.
Black fireplace flue pipes are also available should you not like the discolouration of the stainless-steel pipes. These come at a slightly higher price as they go through an additional process to dip the pipe in an enamel coating that gets baked at high temperatures.
Do I need a floor plate?
The building regulations in South Africa stipulate that you are required to utilise a fire hearth if your flooring material at your fireplace is of a combustible nature. The hearth must be of adequate thickness and of an incombustible material (SANS 10400: v2010)
It is therefore compulsory to have a floor plate if your floor is covered by a material that is not fireproof like wood, carpet or melamine and laminate.
Ideally, you’d want a minimum of 50cm of floor plate in front of your fireplace to catch any accidental spills of hot material. An installation is usually 15-20cm off the wall, so add that to the depth of the fireplace and the additional 50cm in front of the fireplace.
Readily available floor plates from Fireplace suppliers include clear glass, black glass as well as steel. Other materials like granite or ceramic tiles can also be used.
It is therefore compulsory to have a floor plate if your floor is covered by a material that is not fireproof like wood, carpet or melamine and laminate.
Ideally, you’d want a minimum of 50cm of floor plate in front of your fireplace to catch any accidental spills of hot material. An installation is usually 15-20cm off the wall, so add that to the depth of the fireplace and the additional 50cm in front of the fireplace.
Readily available floor plates from Fireplace suppliers include clear glass, black glass as well as steel. Other materials like granite or ceramic tiles can also be used.
How do I maintain my Fireplace?
Fireplaces should only be given some TLC when they are cooled down.
The outer surfaces can be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaning materials. Clean the glass window with a commercially prepared glass cleaner such as Limpio or the Morso glass cleaner. Please refrain from using “Windolene” or similar, as it may cause discoloration of the glass.
An annual chimney sweep is important to clean out the creosote and carbon build up in your fireplace, chimney and flue.
Some fireplaces have vermiculite firebricks which are replacement items as they do crack over time. This doesn’t affect the fireplace, and they only need to be replaced when they crumble.
Stainless steel flues turn coppery over time, and this adds to their aesthetic value, almost like living art.
The outer surfaces can be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaning materials. Clean the glass window with a commercially prepared glass cleaner such as Limpio or the Morso glass cleaner. Please refrain from using “Windolene” or similar, as it may cause discoloration of the glass.
An annual chimney sweep is important to clean out the creosote and carbon build up in your fireplace, chimney and flue.
Some fireplaces have vermiculite firebricks which are replacement items as they do crack over time. This doesn’t affect the fireplace, and they only need to be replaced when they crumble.
Stainless steel flues turn coppery over time, and this adds to their aesthetic value, almost like living art.
When do I need a chimney sweep?
It depends on how often you use your chimney of fireplace or braai, and what kind of wood you use. If you use your fireplace often, we advise at least once a year. If you use your fireplace rarely, we advise at least once every two years.
The function of the chimney or flue system is to carry toxic smoke and gas safely out of your home. A clean chimney/flue system helps your household air stay breathable. Creosote and soot build-up is the main reason for cleaning a chimney. A chimney fire can result if the build-up of creosote and carbon on the inside surface of your flues ignites.
The extremely high temperatures of a chimney fire can damage the chimney. Heat warps metal chimneys and cracks the tile liner of masonry chimneys. If you don’t repair cracks and holes in the flue, the sparks generated by the fire in the fireplace could go through these openings into the attic or the framework surrounding the chimney. This could cause a serious house fire.
The function of the chimney or flue system is to carry toxic smoke and gas safely out of your home. A clean chimney/flue system helps your household air stay breathable. Creosote and soot build-up is the main reason for cleaning a chimney. A chimney fire can result if the build-up of creosote and carbon on the inside surface of your flues ignites.
The extremely high temperatures of a chimney fire can damage the chimney. Heat warps metal chimneys and cracks the tile liner of masonry chimneys. If you don’t repair cracks and holes in the flue, the sparks generated by the fire in the fireplace could go through these openings into the attic or the framework surrounding the chimney. This could cause a serious house fire.
Do you refurbish fireplaces and braais?
Yes, we do, but outside of our peak season. Our peak season is April to August.
Depending on the nature of the refurbishment it can take up to 2 full days. Built-in fireplaces and braais will get done on-site whereas freestanding fireplaces will be uninstalled and taken off-site and then reinstalled.
We sand down the entire unit and re-paint it with a high heat etch primer paint that can withstand the heat generated by braais and fireplace. The products get a brand-new lease on life and will give you many more years of service.
We do prefer to do a site visit before we quote on the refurbishment.
Depending on the nature of the refurbishment it can take up to 2 full days. Built-in fireplaces and braais will get done on-site whereas freestanding fireplaces will be uninstalled and taken off-site and then reinstalled.
We sand down the entire unit and re-paint it with a high heat etch primer paint that can withstand the heat generated by braais and fireplace. The products get a brand-new lease on life and will give you many more years of service.
We do prefer to do a site visit before we quote on the refurbishment.